Page:History of India Vol 9.djvu/166

but in size they are the same. The throne of the reigning sovereign is exceedingly high and broad, and it is set with pearls and precious gems; it is called the lion-throne (Sanskrit simhāsana). It is covered with extremely fine drapery; the footstool is adorned with gems. The ordinary officials carve their seats in various ways and decorate them beautifully according to their taste.

The outer and the inner clothing of the Hindus is not cut or fashioned; they affect pure white garments, but dislike those of mixed colour. The men wind a cloth around the waist, gather it up under the armpits, and let it fall down across the shoulder to the right. The women wear robes reaching to the ground and completely covering the shoulders. They wear a little knot of hair on the crown of the head and let the rest of their hair hang down. Some of the men cut off their moustaches and have other odd customs. The people crown their heads with garlands and wear necklaces on their borders. Their garments are made of the kiau-she-ye (Sanskrit kaushēya) of muslin and of cotton. The kiau-she-ye is a product of the wild silkworm.

The people have also garments of ts'o-mo (Sanskrit kshauma), which is a sort of hemp; garments made of kien-po-lo (Sanskrit kambala), which is woven from fine wool; and garments made from ho-la-li (Sanskrit karāla). This stuff is made from the wool of a wild animal; it is fine, soft, and pliable for weaving, and is therefore excellent and esteemed for clothing.